Community Involvement
The Sathya Sai Organisation encourages its participants to use existing community structures and facilities to implement these projects. Hence the School has teamed up with various partners: Wood Works Museum, Gympie High School and Cooloola Shire Council ~Youth Development Unit.
The Museum provides the Blacksmith shop and facilities with individual insurance, tools and most steel for projects; the High School provides some of the funds for material and sources the students for the programme; and Youth Development Unit provides the other location at "The Shed" and some administrative support.
Uturn Mentors and Facilitators
holding the Australian Flag,
and the Queensland Flag
Local Commitment
Local participants from the Sathya Sai Organisation facilitate the Uturn programme and draws upon the local community for support in both areas of facilitator and mentor. This has resulted is a mixed range of quality programmes being offered and having a broad range of skills that complement existing activities adding new dimensions to the experience of the students. The diversity of the experience plays an important role in the delivery of the programme.
The Mayor of Gympie presenting
Uturn Mentor Ron Koots
with a Certificate
Our commitment to the community is to provide a quality service that is sustainable in all aspects remaining free to the recipients, the students.
Community Awareness
Community awareness is a component of the project that is carried out at regular intervals, providing the School with mentors, facilitators and supporters. This is mostly by articles in the local newspapers or "word of mouth". The School's operating code is to find opportunities that allow all parties to fulfil their needs.
This is applied as "what can we do to support your organisation or project " rather than "what is in it for us". Another is "everyone must be happy". This is often reflected as a "win, win" situation when looking for solutions or dealing with other organisations or individuals.
Crossing the bridge to meet their needs rather that standing fast ensures a strong bond with all parties. The School is committed to building strong links in the community.
Mayor of Gympie with Uturn Graduates, 2003
Gympie High School
Gympie High School has a very proactive presence in the Uturn program. The School Headmaster, the Teaching Staff, and the Behavioural Management Officer of the School interact frequently with the Uturn Administrators.
Headmaster of Gympie High School
addresses the Uturn Graduation, 2003
WoodWorks Museum, Gympie
The Woodworks Museum, a division of Queensland Musueum, has fully supported the Uturn project from inception. The Woodworks Museum has donated the use of the Blacksmith Shop for use by boys on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Uturn Teacher Roles
There are two basic teacher roles at the school:
- Mentor teacher is to be an example of the Values programme and is
the direct line to each student. Their role is counsellor, listener,
nurturer, comforter, provider, disciplinarian, and friend. Their code
is "W.A.T.C.H., the big "T", 5D's and have a heart to heart
connection. They must have basic training in Sathya Sai Educare
- Facilitator teacher is the person who has the skills in a craft or
trade and agrees to demonstrate the craft/skills through the use of
the values of the school to the best of their ability for the betterment
of the student.
The school draws upon the volunteers of the local Sathya Sai
Organisation for its participants and the general public of
Gympie and surrounding areas.
Youth Development Unit
The Youth Development Unit of the Cooloola Shire Council has offered the use of a computer for Girls. This has been used for School projects and assignments.
Gympie Apex
The Gympie Apex, through Cooloola Youth Development Unit, donated $2500 for the replacement of tools and purchase of material bys students.
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